In addition to earlier news that Shelton Benjamin would soon be joining the SmackDown roster, another veteran is joining the brand.
Rhyno made his main roster return on tonight’s first post-draft edition of SmackDown, attacking fellow free agent Heath Slater. Rhyno hit the Gore on Slater, who had come out to demand that Shane McMahon sign him.
Rhyno should be at least somewhat familiar to modern WWE fans, as he has been featured as a recurring member of the NXT roster. He had a semi-regular spot on NXT TV in 2015, and made his return recently in a loss to NXT champion Samoa Joe.
He notably had a previous run with WWE from 2001-2005, but is perhaps best known for his time spent in ECW. Rhyno was the promotion’s last champion before it went out of business in 2001.
The veteran has spent time in TNA, Ring of Honor, and various independent promotions. And he even launched a bid to serve in the Michigan House of Representatives earlier this year.